Feast of Santa Liberata, San Magno and San Rocco (Procession of the Zitelle)

The Patron Saint Festival of Ciciliano

Perched on the Monti Prenestini at an altitude of about 600 meters, in the Metropolitan City of Rome, the village of Ciciliano hosts its most anticipated event during the third week of August: the festival in honor of its three patron saints, Santa Liberata, San Magno, and San Rocco. For three consecutive days, from August 18th to 20th, the town gathers around its religious traditions in a celebration that blends faith, historical memory, and community identity.

Three Saints, Three Days

Devotion in Ciciliano has layered over the centuries. San Magno, bishop and martyr, is the village's ancient patron: the rural church dedicated to him dates back to the 10th century, testifying to an ancient Lombard presence in the area. His feast day, celebrated on August 19th, includes a solemn mass in the parish church followed by a traditional procession with sacred vestments and relics.

Later, two protectors invoked against epidemics and plagues were added to the cult of San Magno: Santa Liberata, adopted as patron in the 15th century, and San Rocco, whose veneration spread in the 18th century. The three days of the festival thus mark a path of devotion that spans the very history of the community.

The Procession of the Zitelle

The most evocative and defining moment is undoubtedly the Procession of the Zitelle, dedicated to Santa Liberata. Unmarried young women from the village parade dressed in white, like brides, in memory of the saint's seven sisters. It is a rare and moving popular tradition, rooted in the cult of the so-called "verginelle" (little virgins), who in rural Lazio culture were called upon to intercede with heaven during times of illness and hardship. In Ciciliano, this custom survives as one of the most authentic and recognizable features of the festival.

The Village and the Church of Santa Liberata

The celebration is also an opportunity to rediscover the municipality's artistic heritage. The Church of Santa Liberata, located at the entrance to the town, houses a valuable cycle of apse frescoes attributed to the school of Antoniazzo Romano, including a Madonna enthroned with the Child and various saints. The small medieval village, with its alleys and views over the Monti Prenestini, provides a natural setting for the processions and rites that bring these days to life.

An Authentic Experience in Lazio

The patron saint festival of Ciciliano is not an event staged for tourism, but a manifestation of devotion experienced by the local community. Visitors arriving during these days will find a town in celebration, amidst religious functions, brass bands, illuminations, and the warm hospitality of the Monti Prenestini. A precious opportunity to discover the most genuine and traditional side of inland Lazio, far from the beaten path.